China e-commerce goes beyond Facebook: Kerr

South West businesses need to embrace e-commerce to open up Chinese markets, according to Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries president David Kerr.

Mr Kerr said the absence of Facebook in China meant some businesses had overlooked that market but it was worthwhile pursuing.

"There are Chinese equivalents like WeChat that present the same features and are used daily by massive numbers of people," he said.

"One of the things about using online platforms is that you can go direct to the customer.

"The reality is that South East Asian countries are very savvy with information technology, perhaps even more so than us."

Mr Kerr said organisations such as Austrade and the Bunbury-Jiaxing Business Office could help businesses enter Chinese markets.

"Even a small penetration into Chinese markets is huge because of the population in the country," he said.

"The opportunities are there - it is just about businesses being prepared and seizing the chance.

"It's a big marketplace and by using e-commerce, the process of getting into those markets can be a lot quicker than bringing a delegation to Australia."

Mr Kerr said Austrade conducted a seminar in Dunsborough on September 3 that focused on the "how to" aspects of e-commerce in China.

The seminar featured a range of speakers, including the Austrade Shanghai trade commissioner Brett Moore.